Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for North Port
Florida residential routes generally operate Monday through Friday. Your specific household collection depends on your local county zoning map.
State Mandate
Do not mix yard trimmings with regular household garbage.
Green Tote (65 or 95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Place totes curbside between 6:00 p.m. the night before and 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Position the tote 3 to 7 feet from the street edge with arrows facing the roadway. Keep 5 feet away from mailboxes, trees, and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard refuse
Tan Lid Tote (Paper) and Blue Lid Tote (Commingled) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is mandatory. Totes alternate weekly. All items must be loose inside the tote. Shredded paper is not accepted in the recycling and must go in the regular garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard, pizza boxes without liners/food, magazines (Tan Lid)
- ✓Rinsed plastics #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 (Blue Lid)
- ✓Glass food and beverage containers (Blue Lid)
- ✓Steel, tin, and aluminum cans (Blue Lid)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastics marked #6
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected weekly. Must be bundled, put in paper lawn bags, placed in a personal garbage can, or a leased brown City-issued yard waste tote. Bundles and bags must weigh under 35 lbs. Branches must be cut to 4 feet or less.
Accepted Items
- ✓Tree branches
- ✓Palm fronds
- ✓Shrubbery
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Place curbside no earlier than 48 hours before the scheduled pickup, and by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Keep away from low-hanging wires, trees, and mailboxes.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (remove refrigerator doors and food)
- ✓ TVs and electronics
- ✓ Lawn equipment (remove all gas and oil)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Paint
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Commercial waste
Unscheduled bulk items placed in the right-of-way will be collected but will trigger an automatic fee. Additional scheduled pickups cost $19.97 per cubic yard plus a $19.97 administrative fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Solid Waste Division does not provide collection services on these five recognized holidays.
Yard Waste Exception
All residential services, including yard waste and scheduled bulk pickups, are suspended on observed holidays.
When a holiday disrupts the schedule, collections are typically pushed back one day for the remainder of the week. Download the Recycle Coach app for modified holiday week schedules.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Do not place your paper or commingled recyclables into plastic grocery bags or garbage bags. All items must be completely loose in the Tan or Blue lid totes to be processed properly.
Keep Treated Wood and Mulch Out of Yard Waste
Stained, painted, or treated wood, as well as garden mulch, cannot be mixed with yard waste. Mulch is considered standard garbage, and treated lumber must be scheduled as a bulk garbage pickup.
No Plastic Bags for Yard Debris
Never use plastic bags or cardboard boxes to dispose of leaves and grass clippings. The city requires the use of biodegradable paper lawn debris bags, standard personal cans, or bundles.
Seasonal Information
Hurricane Season
June to NovemberIf a tropical storm or hurricane watch is issued for Sarasota County, immediately secure your totes in a garage or shed. Cease all heavy yard trimming and do not place scheduled bulk items at the curb, as high winds turn these objects into dangerous projectiles.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
Late December to JanuaryThe city accepts real Christmas trees alongside regular yard waste, provided all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands have been completely removed. Do not mix hay, straw, or artificial snow into your yard waste piles.
Summer Rainy Season
May to OctoberHeavy afternoon thunderstorms can saturate cardboard boxes and yard waste bags left out too early. To prevent paper bags from disintegrating and making a mess, wait until the morning of your collection day (before 7:00 a.m.) to place them curbside.
About North Port Waste Management
The Alternating Dual-Tote Recycling Program
The City of North Port utilizes a highly unique mandatory recycling system that requires residents to actively sort their materials into two distinct totes. The tote with the Tan Lid is strictly for paper products and flattened cardboard, while the tote with the Blue Lid is for commingled plastics, glass, and metal cans. To maximize efficiency, the city collects these totes on an alternating schedule—paper one week, commingled materials the next. Residents are encouraged to use the local Recycle Coach app to keep track of their specific rotation.
Strict Yard Waste Rules for Professional Landscapers
Maintaining North Port's tropical landscaping produces a significant amount of yard debris. While homeowners receive once-a-week collection for properly bundled branches and paper lawn bags, City Ordinance 132-16 strictly prohibits commercial lawn maintenance companies, arborists, and professional tree trimmers from leaving their generated waste at the curb. If you hire a professional to clear your lot or trim your palms, ensure your contract states that they will haul away their own debris, or it will be left uncollected by the city.
One-Side-of-the-Street Collection Strategy
To reduce carbon emissions, lower fuel costs, and maintain safer neighborhoods, North Port employs a one-side-of-the-street collection strategy for automated garbage and recycling trucks. Depending on your street's layout, you may be required to place your green, tan, and blue totes across the street from your driveway. Conversely, your neighbors might be instructed to place their totes on your side of the roadway. Customer Service can verify exactly where your carts belong if you recently moved into a new neighborhood.
Pre-Scheduled Bulk Waste Collections
Unlike municipalities that offer open bulk pickup days, North Port requires homeowners to proactively submit an online request or call Customer Service to schedule the removal of oversized items. Every residential property is entitled to two free bulk collections per fiscal year (October 1 to September 30), with a strict limit of five cubic yards each. Alternatively, residents can combine these into a single, massive 10-cubic-yard pickup. Any additional bulk removals throughout the year will incur a $19.97 administrative fee plus $19.97 per cubic yard.
Solid Waste Special District Funding
The Solid Waste Division operates under the North Port Solid Waste District, which acts as a special taxing authority. Because it is a municipal service, funding is secured through an annual non-ad valorem assessment applied directly to residential property tax bills. This structured assessment ensures that every household with a certificate of occupancy receives equitable access to weekly garbage, alternating recycling, yard waste pickup, and scheduled bulk services without the need for private subscription contracts.
Drop-off Facilities
Sarasota County Landfill (Central County Solid Waste Disposal Complex)
4000 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis, FL 34275
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the recycling schedule work in North Port?
North Port uses an alternating weekly schedule for its two recycling totes. One week, the city collects the Tan Lid tote (strictly for paper and flattened cardboard). The following week, crews empty the Blue Lid tote (for commingled plastics, glass, and cans).
Can my landscaper leave yard waste at the curb for the city to pick up?
No. Under City Ordinance 132-16, commercial lawn maintenance companies, arborists, and landscapers are strictly prohibited from leaving debris at the curb. Professionals must haul their own yard waste away.
Why did the garbage truck drive past my house without stopping?
North Port uses a one-side-of-the-street collection strategy to reduce emissions and lower costs. Depending on your street's layout, you may be required to place your totes across the street on your neighbor's side for the automated truck to reach them.
How much does it cost to throw away an old couch or mattress?
You can dispose of large furniture for free, provided you schedule it in advance. The city offers two free bulk pickups per fiscal year, limited to 5 cubic yards each. If you exceed this allowance, you will be billed $19.97 per cubic yard plus a fixed administrative fee.